ABSTRACT
Patients routinely undergo various medical investigations and procedures on a daily basis. Medical technology has advanced immensely in the past two decades and there are now numerous tests and investigations available for the doctor’s use. Although these tests may be essential for the physician to arrive at a diagnosis, some are quite invasive and carry the risk of serious complications. As a result, the patient’s agreement must be sought explicitly before proceeding. When explaining a procedure to the patient, it is essential that doctor keep things simple and avoid any complex medical terminologies. Patients are often anxious and apprehensive about undergoing a procedure and the use of complicated jargon will only compound this. Good communication and a simple explanation will help allay any fears and will result in a more contented patient. The General Medical Council encourages those who perform the procedure to personally gain consent from the patient.
